I want to start out by saying that I made some careless errors this week and I wanted to come back here and correct them. I have done so, and thanks to those of you who brought them to my attention.
Only one thing stayed with me after watching SmackDown! last Thursday night, and that was Carlito Cool winning the United States Championship away from then new title holder John Cena. John came away from No Mercy four days earlier with the belt after beating Booker T in the last of the Best of Five Series. The widely known fact that he was going to leave for a while to make the movie The Marine (which, by the way, he has the perfect look for) left no question that he would not hold the title very long, but Carlito? On his show debut? Why? This week on Raw they said that Cena was in that infamous medical facility after an incident that occurred at a nightclub (or the like), so that obviously told us that he is going to be indisposed for some time now. I would have rather they did the same thing that they did with Edge and take the belt away from him – repetitive I know, but better than handing it over to the new kid on the block. If they weren’t going to give it to Booker – which I think was a mistake, particularly under the circumstances – wasn’t there anyone else he could have wrestled who is more deserving of the US Title right now? Can you tell I didn’t like it? Carlito has a long way to go with me.
Unlike the easily forgettable SmackDown!, I thought Raw was a super show. I thought this was the first time Raw was brought to us from out of the country, but it has happened once before. Manchester, England was the site this time. I really enjoyed this show and was very surprised to look back and realize that there were only four true matches during the course of the evening. I don’t usually like that, but the program was done so well that I never even noticed that until I looked at my notes later on. The crowd was really into the whole show, something that we have not seen for a very long time. They had their favorites to be sure, and were eager to boo and cheer accordingly. So what might be the big difference, do you think? Frankly, I believe it is a case of too many shows here in the States. I don’t have an answer for it; I know there has to be a Raw and SmackDown!, and that the house shows are also important. I have already given my opinions on there being too many pay-per-views – I think that four or six major shows a year would be good. There would be a lot more anticipation and excitement for them, and they could produce really quality programs. The athletes are not the ones who have to step up to the plate, for they do that each time out, but the writers could spend more time with story lines and building up the feuds to really mean something.
Oops, editorializing again. Back to Raw, which in my opinion would have been PPV material had there been a few more matches. The star of the show by far was the hometown boy, William Regal. The fans absolutely adored their fellow Brit, and I have never seen Regal as animated and excited as he was on Monday. Teamed up with Eugene and facing La Resistance for the Tag Title, the fans responded to every hit, and when it SEEMED as if they had wrenched the belts away the crowd went wild. Never mind that Regal used the brass knuckles, no one cared – well no one that is, until Eric Bischoff announced that the match would be re-started. Naturally, La Resistance kept their titles, but this match, the second on the card, (Stacy tried in vain to defeat Trish for the Women’s’ Championship to open the show), really set the tone and got everyone up for the rest of the night.
Chris Jericho went against Rhyno in a really good match as well. Tyson Tomko and Christian did their now almost expected run-in, and the rules changed in this match also. Coach came out this time, announcing that the match would now be a tag match. It was fun to see Y2J and Rhyno change hats and go from adversaries to partners, and they did a super job, which resulted in a victory for the two of them.
Before I get to the last match of the evening let me mention the few major speaking bits of the show. Gene Snitsky gave his promo as to why he was not responsible for the loss of Lita’s baby, and I thought he was really lame! Kane was seen watching it backstage, and while we were supposed to see a tag match between Hurricane and Rosey facing off against Val Venis and Steven Richards, we saw Kane beat each one of them up before going backstage again. Venis took the brunt of his anger, and it didn’t seem as if Kane pulled too many punches as he assaulted Val with a chair – 12 hits while Venis was on the ramp and they all seemed to connect pretty hard. Ouch!
Randy Orton started off with a monologue about Ric Flair, naturally resulting in Flair coming out. I thought these two had a really good exchange, with the talk mainly staying around the subject of their match at Taboo Tuesday. This was a complete package as far as a promo is concerned. They said all the right things, and their body language and facial expressions were great. I thought this set up their match for next week perfectly.
The last match of the evening was a three-way tag match between Chris Benoit, Shawn Michaels and Edge against Evolution. Since the three men that were facing Evolution are the same ones that the fans will vote on to face Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship next Tuesday, this match had more to it that usual. Each man wanted to prove to the voters that they were worthy of a title shot, and I thought they did a good job of presenting themselves. The fans were still really hot here and quite opinionated. The most noticeable of those through the television were HBK chants, cheers for Benoit, and definite boos for Edge. There was one time when there were Figure Four Leg Locks by Benoit, Edge and Michaels against their three opponents at the same time, and that was pretty cool to see. Overall, Benoit took the biggest crushing during the match, as he was isolated for a long time without much offense. HBK was able to hit his Sweet Chin Music, but then Edge jumped in there for the cover and the three count. The winners worked together while still making it every man for himself, and this was a good way to end the show. Good job this night in England, and if this is the kind of production we can have if they televise more of these out of the country events, I can only hope they do just that.
Finally, my thoughts on Taboo Tuesday. After the last couple of PPV’s we have been served up I can’t believe what I’m going to say, but here goes: I am looking forward to Taboo Tuesday! I really am, because once again on paper, it seems as if this could be a good show. The fact that every match has the viewers involved and that there will be an unknown aspect for us until the curtains open for each match heightens the interest. I wasn’t sure about this, but I find myself excited about the prospect now. Let me try to quickly go over them and give my picks when possible.
Triple H will face either Michaels, Edge, or Benoit for the World Heavyweight Championship. I would enjoy any of these match-ups quite honestly, but I think that HBK would provide the most intense opponent as far as history and emotions are concerned. Regardless, I’m afraid that now that HHH has the belt he won’t give it up any time soon. Oh well. But wait, the fun of this match is that the two who are not picked to face 3H will team up to go against La Resistance for the Tag Team Title. That’s a cool twist which should be fun, because pairing any of these men in any combination puts some excellent talent in the ring. I would love for La Resistance to lose, but no matter which two superstars team up together I can’t see them having to stay there to defend tag gold, so I’d have to pick those ‘Frenchmen’ again.
Kane goes against Gene Snitsky in a pure and simple grudge match, and I can only pray that this will end the horrible baby angle so Kane can move on. The thing in question here is the type of weapon that will be used. We have a choice of a lead pipe, a chair, or a Steel Chain Match. I can’t see a chair or even a pipe, as those are things that we can see more regularly. A Steel Chain Match might be a good one, so Kane can pound Snitsky once and for all. Obviously I’ll take Kane in this one.
Legend vs. Legend Killer – I guess we’ll find out who can put their muscles where their mouth is. The self-appointed Legend Killer Randy Orton goes against his one-time idol Ric Flair and this should be a hell of a match. The stipulations voted on are a Falls Count Anywhere Match, a Submission Match, or a Steel Cage Match. I don’t think it will matter, because these two will turn it up for us. I haven’t mentioned this in a very long time, but for those of you who ask just why Flair is still in the ring, the answer is simple: he is passing his world of knowledge to others and putting the youngsters over. What an honor that must be, and I admire the hell out of him. (HBK is doing the same thing, by the way, but because he is still so active in the ring most don’t realize that.) This one is a hard one to pick a winner from, but for the reason I just mentioned, I’ll take Orton.
Who knows just who Jericho’s opponent will be? There are 15 to choose from, and one of those will go toe-to-toe with Y2J for the Intercontinental Title. I can’t see just one person appearing, at least not by the end of the match. I’m sure we’ll see more superstars then the one he will face. But I don’t care who that will be, I just hope Chris keeps the belt. He is a superb and still under-utilized athlete as far as I’m concerned.
Uncle Eric will have to suit up on Tuesday to face off against his nephew Eugene. The loser of the match will have to either wear a dress, be a servant or lose his hair. I’d kind of like to see Eric bald, wearing a dress and serving Eugene lunch if I had my way, but that won’t happen! I’m all for Eugene here, regardless of the stipulations after the finish.
Christy and Carmella (I just KNEW we couldn’t be rid of Carmella!) have either an Evening Gown Match, pillow fight, or Lingerie Match. For more divas there is a Fulfill Your Fantasy Battle Royal dressed like a nurse, a French maid, or a school girl. No picks from me here, just fluff for the guys. I guess I really can’t complain, when us girls get to look at Batista, HBK, Kane, Y2J, Orton, and the like (See, a body type for everyone.) Actually, we’ve got it pretty good!
Now my hope is that I even get to watch Taboo Tuesday at all. I’m at a horse show all week, so I’ll have to find a sports bar around somewhere, or maybe try to watch it on my lap top, if possible. Work gets in the way, doesn’t it? Thanks for all the feedback, guys.
Be safe and God Bless,
Barb.
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